We are Jim & Joy Macdonald, the developers
and future residents of Cottage Brook
Lane. Ironically, we had never aspired to become
developers. Following is a brief account of our journey in creating a charming
neighborhood that captures the beauty of the area.
As alumni of
Messiah College,
we have long appreciated the natural beauty that surrounds
the school.
We enjoy walks on the
wooded fitness trail.
We have fun
memories of tubing adventures with our kids on the Yellow Breeches
Creek.
Cemetery Hill is our favorite
spot for sledding in the winter.
For several years we
had hopes of living closer to this special setting.
We
think of ourselves as neighborhood people; we don’t desire
a secluded lifestyle. We are drawn to neighborhoods that offer
a balance in lot size – small enough to create a sense
of community, yet big enough to give families space to enjoy
the outdoors on their own slice of earth. We also have
a fondness for older neighborhoods graced with charming, welcoming
homes - homes that are not oversized and pretentious but that
quietly display quality craftsmanship and artistry.
When we discovered the opportunity to purchase an old stone house
on 7 ½ acres of land surrounded by mature trees close
to the Yellow Breeches Creek and Messiah College, our creative
juices began to flow. We embraced the vision of creating
a small cul-de-sac neighborhood of inviting cottage style homes
that would communicate a sense of charm, simplicity, craftsmanship,
and community. Through our months of

planning
and working with engineers, township officials, and many others,
we have received much encouragement. We are pleased
that our ideas for Cottage Brook Lane resonate with so many.
Initially, our plan was to
build a new home on Cottage Brook Lane, then
we began a season of going back and forth . . . . whether to build or
make the old stone house our home. This one of a kind, beautiful old
stone cottage kept calling to us. We began renovating it to be a
complement to the charming new neighborhood of Cottage Brook Lane.
In the process, the grace and charm of the old stone cottage
became more and more evident. A future of welcoming family,
neighbors, friends, and friends not yet met became more and more part
of our vision. We have decided to make the old stone cottage
our Cottage Brook home!
We are excited to see Cottage Brook Lane become a reality, and look
forward to welcoming our new neighbors to a different kind of
neighborhood, one reminiscent of yesteryear!
Sincerely,
Jim
& Joy
Macdonald
